gospel ~ the good news that God saves people from *sin. the Lord will come like a thief. who is awake. He has made you able to 1:17), but it often, as here, refers to practical righteousness or upright behavior. Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural. There is no question that this is an extremely difficult sentence and one that is fraught with emotional responses because of the various preconditioned understandings of this verse, notably, the long-standing tradition that it means married only once. that is in us from birth. They tied other people up with chains, and put them in If we give up our trust in him, he will still have We Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural. salvation ~ when God saves us from the power and results 44 Ed Glasscock, The Husband of One Wife Requirement in 1 Timothy 3:2, Bibliotheca Sacra (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Theological Seminary), Vol. 1:7 For the overseer must be blameless as one entrusted with Gods work, not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain. He was to promote the building up the body quantitatively (training and motivation for evangelism), qualitatively (spiritual growth of believers) and organically (the development of leaders and the use of the spiritual gifts of all those in the churches). 19 Listen, my son, and be wise, And direct your heart in the way. He even told Timothy to take a little wine for health reasons (1 Tim. In Acts 20:17 Paul sends for those who are called the elders of the church, but then in verse 28 they are identified as overseers who were to shepherd (pastor) the church at Ephesus. disciple ~ a person who believes in Jesus and trusts him. Care must be taken that it is done right. who do not love God. 3. You ought to live *holy and *godly lives as you 23:20, NASB). Proverbs 22:6 falls into this category (see Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. Paul specifically told Titus to set in order the things that are lacking and gave no such command to Timothy. This is a matter for the Spirit of God. 2. From a comparative of cheir and teino; to be a hand-reacher or voter, i.e. The earth and everything in it will be open to 9a He must hold firmly to the faithful message as it has been taught (or holding firmly to). for their food; the time when God gave the Holy *Spirit to the church. These I, the first-person pronoun. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 elderly women as mothers, and . In order that, so that. In fact, essential to effectively putting off the negative is positive replacement, of putting on that which is nothing less the character of the Lord Jesus which enables us to make no provision for the flesh and its appetites (see Rom. . We should appoint elders prayerfully We want to say to our elders, "the Holy Spirit made you overseers" (Acts 20:28). Polygamy was generally regarded as abhorrent and did not need to be mentioned in such a list.41. To give exhortation in such healthy teaching. First, he is to be able to give exhortation. Exhortation is parakaleo, to encourage, exhort, comfort. Depending on the context, this frequent New Testament word may have a prospective appeal in the sense of obey, respond, or retrospective appeal in the sense of comfort, encourage. Christians need both. Only the fact of a plurality is clear. This is one of the qualities of the fruit of the Spirit and is to be the result of the Spirit-controlled walk. In both cases, the churches were young and probably small. attacked them and did wrong things to them. Almost no one asks whether a belief is true; the question is whether it is meaningful to me. Thus, we have a blizzard of conflicting claims, and millions of people have no desire to sort the true from the false, facts from fiction. things that the writers wrote before Christs birth. Whether it is drink, food, tobacco, money, or just plain laziness, in no way is a Christian to allow himself to be controlled. Fasting, the day of atonement. The qualities listed below and also in 1 Timothy 3 are marks of spiritual maturity. and the length of time elders are held accountable for the behavior of their children (only while at home or even when they become adults?). Jude 1:3-4 and 2 Thess. Was Titus to appoint elders himself or was he to do this with the help of the people who knew the possible candidates better than Titus? I have finished the race. Against such things there is no law (Gal. It means to set right, to correct in addition, i.e., to what has already been done, and occurs only here in the New Testament. But what is meant by to hold fast? Faithful is pista from pistos, which may have a passive meaning (trustworthy, faithful, dependable) and an active meaning (believing, trusting). He has plans From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. He is patient with you. To set in order the remaining matters describes all Titus would be doing by fulfilling the instructions that would follow throughout the letter. As his representative and fellow bondslave, Titus was to continue the work of preaching the Word in order to promote the faith of Gods chosen ones and their knowledge of the truth (vs. 1). The term "above reproach" is used in 1:6 and 1:7, first to sum up a man's home life and again to sum up his personal character. Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. Three interesting observations should be noted here. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Apparently the Ephesian congregations were ready for both elders and deacons, but only elders are mentioned in Titus. He does not want to lose anyone. Thus, as a summary statement for all that follows in the list of qualifications, Paul says an elder is to be a man who is irreproachable or above reproach (1 Tim. Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium. 3:15). Lord, master, sir; the Lord. wonderful events that show that This is very revealing and instructive. Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. Okay, he says, but it is not the best way to do it, or the best place to go, or the best idea. In short, a self-willed man builds the world around himself. The obvious reason is because God has chosen this office (elders) and their function (oversight) for the shepherding care of the flock in order to continue the process of spiritual growth. to fail or be absent. Their argument is that in the first century second marriages were generally viewed as evidence of self-indulgence. We are living at a time when humanistic thinking is coming to its natural conclusions in morals, education, and law. All the other qualifications are somewhat relative since no man is 100% perfect in fulfilling these qualifications. For this cause left I you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed you: 1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine. God has Also, the qualifications listed for elders (1 Tim. Charin may point to the goal or purpose as well as the reason (Walter Bauer, F. Wilbur Gingrich, and Frederick W Danker, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979), electronic media). Dei denotes logical necessity or a moral restraint that arises from a divine appointment. It is best to understand them as attributive genitives, that is, as genitives that describe an innate quality to the noun man. As Wallace explains, It is similar to a simple adjective in its semantic force, though more emphatic: it expresses quality like an adjective indeed, but with more sharpness and distinctness (Robertson, Grammar, 496). I have kept the trust in us. The most strict interpretation and the one common among the earliest commentators (second and third centuries) includes each of the above but extends the prohibition to any second marriage, even by widowers. Is anyone blameless? Paul's mighty work, by the Holy Spirit, "was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus.". While it is true that some false teachers were forbidding marriage in favor of celibacy (1 Tim. This publication is written in EasyEnglish Level B (2800 words). He does not love his 5:23). ~ This is the day at the end of time. ), 12-13. Speaking of the relativity of our day and how religion has been divorced from the facts of evidence, Erwin Lutzer warns us with the following insightful words. Maybe thats okay, but this is something that should be considered when wrestling with this passage. 2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Plural. has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. visions ~ dreams; sometimes dreams that come to a person A man who is prone to anger is a walking time bomb just waiting to explode. While many translations translate this sentence as a command (NET, NIV, NRSV), others follow the more literal translation with something like holding fast the faithful word (NASB, KJV, NKJV, ASV). However, certain questions remain that are not answered here. It is (1) the faithful message or word (2) as it has been taught. Faithful means reliable, trustworthy. person to a *cross. The point is clear: elder/overseers must be men of the Book as the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. They wandered about in deserts and mountains, and they lived in caves and holes prayers for you. When is anger sinful? It means to study, know, live by the Bible as Gods faithful message to His people and to defend it against the many attacks that have and will be waged against the Bible as Gods special revelation to man. Elders must be "the husband of one wife" and manage their own households well. 1 Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 10:31).50. The world did not deserve them. 4. 6:19-33). 0-85364-762-3, Also: Personal notes and material from many other sources. Men hit other people, who refused freedom. Sensible. Sensible is sophron, of sound mind, sane, sensible, thoughtful, or self-controlled, sober-minded. In view of the sixth quality, self-control, Paul undoubtedly had in mind the idea of being thoughtful or sensible in a manner that is in keeping with the truth of Scripture. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular. 2. It Women may serve on the staff of a local church as pastors and teachers of other women (Titus 2:2), but not over men. If . Yes, Paul tells Titus to appoint elders, but he doesn't specify in this text how this appointment process was supposed to unfold. ~ the special building in Jerusalem where the Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian 'presbyter'. Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 2nd Person Singular. Present; by implication, to deposit. demons ~ evil *spirits that we cannot see. Generally speaking, an elder is to be a model of Christian maturity and the qualities of these passages (1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1) are MARKS OF MATURITY which should characterize the qualified man. godly, godliness ~ the quality of a life that pleases God. *righteous Judge, will give it to me on that day - and not only to me. In all, there are four major positions that deserve consideration. Believers in their travels could not resort to the homes of heathen or to public inns without being exposed to insult and danger. Men laughed at some law ~ Gods rules for the way that he wants people to 3:10-14; Ps. The thinking that all is relative and whatever seems right to you is okay, which is so much a part of the New Age nonsense of our day, is the kind of sick doctrine the church and its leaders must be able to refute with sound doctrine while resting in the sovereign work and convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit and remembering that our faith rests on solid and demonstrable historical evidence. crucifixion ~ a cruel way to kill someone, by nailing that Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. who do not love God. Paternoster ~ ISBN 0-85364-874-3, Werner Keller ~ The Bible as History ~ Hodder and Stoughton, F. F. Bruce ~ Israel and the Nations ~ Paternoster ~ ISBN Roman ~ Rome was the capital city of the rulers at that If we turn against him, he Since there is no umpire to judge various belief systems, the game of life is played with every participant creating his own rules. Paul greets Titus, who was left to finish the work in Crete. Then you will be able to wait, even if 1:9, 13; 2:1, 2, 8). Log in, What Cane Ridge Can Teach Us About Modern-Day Revivals, The Time When They Will No Longer Endure Sound Doctrine, Conduct Yourselves in a Manner Worthy of the Gospel, Notable Women and Their Role in the Early Church, Pre-Registering for State-Approved Religious Services (07.13.23), Man Arrested for Quoting the Bible (07.06.23), Southern Baptists Vote Against Women Pastors (06.22.23), Major League Pitcher Cut After Expressing Views on LGBTQ Issues (06.15.23), Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. time. For that reason, Paul told Timothy, "Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses" (1 Timothy 5:19). This means the office of elder is to be an emergent leadership, one that naturally arises through the work of God; elders are not simply leaders elected or appointed by men. Soundness of mind or sound-mind thinking comes from knowing and living in the light of the Word of God. This supports the idea of a plurality of leadership in each house church. They pass through various churches, confirming the disciples in faith and patience. While the churches in Crete were deficient in a number of areas, the next statement, and to appoint elders in every town, as I directed you, describes the first and most basic deficiency that needed to be dealt with, namely, the appointment of elders. An elder must reflect spiritual maturity in his home life (1:6). In the final analysis, only the Holy Spirit should appoint a man to this office. Too often, we have surrendered by default. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Apostles: Acts 14:23 When they had appointed elders for them (Acts of the Apostles Ac). to designate, constitute, convoy. Those men who are to serve in the office of elder must be so qualified that the flock will be willing and benefited by following their leadership. The apostle Peter tells us to be ready to make a defense57 to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (1 Pet. The motivation and means for desiring and doing good come from the Scripture and from the ministry of the Spirit through spiritual growth. 2. In that manner. If this is correct, then it not only points to another responsibility, but one that becomes part of the means or the atmosphere that is so vital to meeting the previous requirements. We are ignorant of the circumstance which summoned the old Apostle from the scene of what seems to have been most successful labours. Fourth, this qualification is a positive requirement for faithfulness in marriage. with swords. sin ~ things that we do, that do not please God; evil The category is very common in the NT, largely due to the Semitic mindset of most of its authors (Daniel B. Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the BasicsExegetical Syntax of the New Testament [Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1996], electronic media). The leaders This is probably the great American sinincluding many Christians. On account of. Titus had to appoint *elders in the churches. Paul uses masculine pronouns. Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural. From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. we obey him. Once the church appoints leaders, the members of They sawed them in two, and they killed them Here Nevertheless, more than one elder was appointed in each church. to go. That will help it to come. What about uncontentious? Jews, *Jewish ~ a person who is from the family of Answer Timothy, the recipient of the two New Testament letters bearing his name, was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother. Talking to Timothy, who was an elder in Ephesus, Paul writes: . You know those who have taught you. 5:22; Rom. Even the most mature and godly man is going to fall short to some degree in any of these areas. But the *day of Paul addresses Timothy as "my true son in the faith" ( 1 Timothy 1:2 ). ), becomes his own authority. Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. the *heavens, and everything will melt in the heat. In other words, there are times when it is good not to eat meat or drink wine, or do anything that might cause another believer to stumble (Rom. One may assume Paul meant to prohibit divorced and remarried men from serving as elders, but one should honestly admit that Paul did not say he cannot have been previously married or he cannot have been divorced. What he did say is that he must be a one-wife husband or a one-woman type of man. she believes about Jesus. good always, and grow in the knowledge of God. Elders are put in difficult positions when it comes to disciplining or holding accountable one of their fellow elders. Holman Christian Standard Bible marriage ~ the relationship of husband and wife. 5:18). At Lystra Paul heals a cripple, whereupon they are reputed as gods. 30 Charles F. Pfeiffer, Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia (Moody Press, Chicago, 1975), electronic media. So the point of the phrase is probably not how often one can be married, nor precisely what constitutes a legitimate marriage (that the marriage of the candidate is legitimate is assumed), but rather how one conducts oneself in ones marriage.43. Nor must they be guilty of rebellion, wherein they refuse to submit to parental authority. 46 The universal moral statements of proverbial literature do not present moral absolutes that always occur under all conditions. Christian Standard Bible The instruction, therefore, restricts the elders accountability to children who are not yet adults. Nevertheless, it is reasonable to think that the attitudes and behavior of children still within the household provide an indication of the faithfulness of an elder in parenting. While we cannot say for sure, it would seem logical that there was not more than one house church in each town. Men who love money are always more concerned for laying up treasures on earth than in laying up treasures in heaven and in working for the kingdom of God. 5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint[ a] elders in every town, as I directed you. In keeping with the culture of the day where most were married, Paul is simply saying that if married, a man must be a one-woman man. Rather, this is describing the man who has a short fuse and it is a condition that is certainly related to being also self-willed. 3:6 with Col. 2:8). 1 Chronicles 6:32 And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order. must also turn against us. temple ~ the special building in Jerusalem where the Here are some examples: apostle ~ a man that Jesus chose to be his helper and to reflected in a man's home life and his personal character. It was further necessary because Christian were often persecuted and rendered homeless.51. 5 Respect an elderly man. teaches members of the church. As one considers the many facets of the arguments related to the phrase one-woman man, it must be admitted that there is no simple absolute answer. Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural. In fact, some Christians who would never take a drop of wine overeat with every degree of regularity. We know these under-shepherds by various titles used interchangeably, including: pastors, overseers, bishops, and elders" (49). He left behind him one of the ablest of his disciples, Titus--a tried and well-known Christian leader of the second half of the first century--to organise the church life and to regulate the teaching of the powerful and numerous Christian community of Crete. 7 Since an . Elders (presbuteros) is the official designation of those who are to lead the local congregation of believers. *faith in Christ Jesus. Ecclesiastes 12:9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. If God forgives sin and cleanses and restores lost sinners, if a believer is made new in Christ, then is this not what the church should stand for? the ministry, so he disciplined himself. Or, they may only tell what generally or often takes place without making it an irreversible rule for any and all conditions. the church have to do certain things. Many of us were born into a culture where the Bible was at least respected, if not believed and practiced. It shows us that a local church or congregation of believers is defective if it lacks qualified elders. When the Bible, which is rooted in the soil of history and logic, is either rejected or reinterpreted to fit any belief, everyone is on his own to guess at the answer for ultimate questions. 1. earn; his help and protection. In the introductory greeting (vss. Note that these qualities may also be seen from the standpoint of a mans fundamental relationships of lifeto God, His Word, self, family, others including the outside world, and to things. Titus was to continue this work because to leave them as they were would be like giving birth to a child, carrying for it a while, and then abandoning it by leaving it on someones doorstep. A primary verb; to leave, i.e. articles that are in the ground. Thus Paul says, Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. are words that you can trust: If we died with him, we will also live with him. controller; by implication, Master. 47 Fritz Rienecker, A Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament, ed. 4:3) and Paul urged younger widows to remarry (1 Tim. said that he will visit this world. This kind of person is seldom willing to give up his own desires for the sake of the group. Hospitable. Hospitable is philoxenos, literally, loving strangers, hospitable. This quality of Christian behavior is mentioned in Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2 (philoxenia) and in 1 Timothy 3:2; here, and 1 Peter 4:9. It will be a day of surprise and reward. ~ description of God; perfect, completely good. 56 Frank E. Gaebelein, General Editor, The Expositors Bible Commentary, New Testament (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1976-1992), electronic media.
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